Self loading and distributing wagon



LMZEW.

Jan. 23, 1923.,

R. SHEDENHELM. SELF LOADING AND DISTRIBUTING WAGON.

5 SHhUS-SHEE] 1.

FILED 0CT.15.19I7- Jan. 23, 19123, L MZBS UL R. SHEDENHELM.

SELF LOADING AND DISTRIBUTING WAGON.

FILED OCT-16. 1917- I 5 SHEETSSH EE1 2 Jan. 23, 19230 I R. SHEDENHELM.

SELF LOADING AND DISTRIBUTING WAGON.

Jan. 23, 1923. H

R. SHEDENHELM. SELF LOADING AND m'smsume WAGON.

5 SliEETS-.SHEET 4.

FILED 061115. l9i7.

2 2 4 I 1 1 M IL CL H N E D CL H S R Jan. 23, 1923.

SE LF LOADING AND DISTRIBUTIN G WAGON.

FILED 0CT.16

llatented il anu E3, i933.

.nnrrr OFGBINNELL, IOWA.

LOADING'AND DISTRIBUTING WAGON.

Application med-ember 16, 1917. Serial No. 196,952.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I. Honmrr Siranuivrriimii, a citizen oi the United States, and re. dent otl llrinnell, in the county of Poweshielr and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and. useful dell Loading and Distributing lVagom off which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to and consists in, certain improvements in machines "for loading and distributing material, of the class illustrated in my Patent Number 1226,1525, issued May 15, 1917, and which comprises essentially a wagon bed supported on wheels, having a movable apron in tllHbOlitom of the wagon bed, and a spreader atthe rearo'l the wagon bed, and also having at the front of the wagon bed a material cutting blade and a conveyor running trou'i the cutting blade to the front end of the apron in the wagon bed, together with means for 'aising and lowering the tront'end ofithe wagon bed to thereby move the cutting blade from position where it will enter the surtliace over which the wagon bed is advancing, for loading purposes, and elevate it so that the cutting blade will be out of contact with the surface when transporting material to a place of discluir re.

The objects of my invention are to provide controlling ineanso'f simple constructio n whereby the operator may readily, easily and quickly control all of the operative parts of the device, and further in-this connection to provide a controlling means in: which there are a minin'ium number of lovers for ellertina' the various operation and further in. which the main controlling lever so arrangeiii and coinljiineifl with the various operative parts that when said lever iinoved to its "THY 10th:; positions the ope tire parts will be controlled to iiiperate in proper sequence to each other whereby it is made impossible for the operator to set the various operative parts oi? the doviceifor simultaneous operation in cases where such. operation might tend to break the machine or to cause various opcrati parts to work on the material in op )ositiou to each other and further whereby the convenience otthe operator is facilitated, and whereby the proper operation of the machine "for the vaother power, or at times by power applied to a manually controlled lever.

In a device of this character it is important that the apron in the bottom of the wagon bed he supported on rollers or antifriction devices in such a manner that it will move very freely with a load on it. One of the objects of my present invention is to provide means for automatically holding the apron against rearward movement that would tend to discl'iarge its load at all times except when the apron is driven by suitable power, to thereby avoid the possibility of having a load discharged gravity when the machine is traveling up-hill or when being; started.

A further object is to provide an improved spreader of simple, durable and inexpensive construction, so arranged, that the material delivered thereby may be spread over an area materially Wider than tliewitltli Oil the s 'ircader, and in an even and unilori'u inanner throughout the entirewidth; i

A further object is to provide improved means for raising and lowering the front end of the wagon bed relative to the main frame, which means is so arranged that the operator may readily, quickly and easily effect the desired adjustment. and also so arlunged that the position oithe cutter blade at the front of the wagon bed will he fixed tire to the main frame in any position "is adj ustlnent.

I ion consists in the r notion arr igemen and combination of the various parts ot the device whercl'iy the objectscom te'n'iplatcd are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accoinpanying drawings, in which: i i

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a spreading and loading device embodying my invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view ot the automatic ratchet device for advancing the apron.

Figure 2 shows a side eleratioi'i of a machine embodying my invention, taken from the side opposite that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a top or plan view of same, parts being broken away to show structural. details.

Figure a shows a side view of the spreader supporting frame and a. part of the rear of the wagon box. for illustrating the means for supporting the spreader in an inoperative position, and also the means for moving it to and holding it in an operative position.

Figure 5 shows an enlarged, detail. sectional view of the rear apron driving shaft and connected parts, illustrating the means for locking the apron against rearward movement when the apron driving shaft is not being positively driven.

Figure 6 shows. a sectional view on the line '?7 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 shows a detail, sectional view of the rear end of the apron in the wagon bed and connected parts, illustrating the device for raising the rear end portion of the apron for the purpose of breaking up material supported thereby.

Figure 8 shows an enlarged. detail, side view of the main controlling lever with its connections, the dotted lines in the figure showing the lever moved rearwardly.

Figure 9 shows a rear elevation of same. the adjacent portion of the frame member being shown in section.

Figure 10 shows an enlarged. detail, sectional View, illustrating the left end of the rear aXle and the spring actuated clutch and ratchet devices thereon for connecting and disconnecting the rear axle with the driving sprocket chain, and for operatively connecting-the supporting wheel with the rear axle when the machine is moving forwardly.

Figure 11 shows a sectional view on the line 13-13 of Figure 10.

Referring to the accompanying drawings. I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate the main frame of the .lllfifil'iine. the front end of which mounted on the sin) porting and steering wheels 1],.

Connected with tl n me near its rear end. is a tilting wagon bed l2 mounted. on a rear axle 1?: to which the traction wheels '14; are fixed. j I

The means for raisins and lowering the front end of the wagon bed relative to the main frame comprises a shaft 15 having pinions l6 thereon. and also having a worm. gear 17 fixed thereto. Two rack bars -l8 are held in mesh with the pinions 16 by the rollers 19, and their lower ends are connected to the front of the wagon bed at 20. Mounted adjacent to the drivers seat 21 is a hand wheel 22 mounted on a shaft 23 providcd with a worm 21 in nirsh with the worm gear 17. By this arrangernont a. lnavnipulation of the hand wheel. in one direction will raise the front of the wagon bed and in another direction will lower it. but .in any of these positions the trout cnd of the wagon bed will be locked relative to the frame on account of the worm gear devicc.

Attached to the front end of the wagon bed is a frame 25 having at its forward end a cutting blade 26. This cutting blade is pivotally supported on the pin 2?. and lhe rearward extension 28 of the cuttingblade is provided with a slot 29 through which a bolt 30 is extended into the frame 2:), lhcrcby providing means for tilting the cutting blade relative to the frame 253 and holding it in its tilted position.

Between the cutting blade and the front of the wagon bed is a movable conveyor ill arranged for operation in such manner that. material moving up over the cutting blade will be carried by said conveyor into the front end of the wagon bed. The conveyor 31 may be used with or without the cutting blade 26, and especially may be used without said cutting blade with Suitable couvcyor devices for loading sand. or with suitable engaging fingers or the like for loading long manure. This conveyor is opcratcd by a shaft 32 having thereon a clutch Iii. slid ingly and nonrotatably mounted. 'lhis clutch is controlled by a lever ill connected to a hand lever 35 by means oi the rod 36. This hand lever is provided with a pawl 37 to engage a sector 38 whereby it may be held in different positions of its adjustment.

Fixed to the shaft 32 is a clutch member 39 to coast with the clutch member 33. and fixed to the shaft 32 is a sprocket wheel 40 connected to a sprocket chain "ll horeiua l'lcr described. whereby said shal't may e rotated for driving: the front conveyor. The apron in the bottom of the wagon bed is (70111 posed of sprocket chains and cross slats which sproclnet cl ains travel around sproclcct wheels at the front and rear ends of tho wagon bod. .l' the front of lhe wagon bod the apron tra els :ironnd thc pr chc wheels 3 which are capable f ljI'Ql: mow. merit. and at the real it trough" zii'oninl tln- SIJJOCliSl wheets l which are 'lviu-n through the rear apron sba l'l ll in a nuinnci' to he hereinafter more fully d scribed.

The apron slats ind ated by [he HIIHHV'J l l5 arc of the ordinary construction with the adjaccnl' edges of two shits lrcvclcd or in clined in a direction with the parts thcrcof adjacent to the chains closc togctlicr. and the parts thereof spaced from the chains. as shown in Figure T. I In order that the apron may more freely and be supported in a. relatively flat position at the bottom of the wagon bed, I

llU

llfu

provide a series oi anti-ctriction rollers l9 (see .l igurel) to support the part thereot that constitutcs'the bottom of the wagon he'd, and l hin'e also?providedahlraine provided with rollers 51 for supporting the iroiitend oft-hatpart o't the apron that is helow the bottom mtthe wagon lied.

rotata hly n onntedin it. This hearing is provided on its inner endwith a series of teeth 58 in position to he enga 'ed by the a i said pawl The said disc 55 is provided with an arnr59 to engage the pawl 55; as shown in Figure 5. By means otthis arrangement, and assuming that the shafted is being rotated to advance the apron, it will be obvious that the disc 5?), the arm 59 and the pawl 55 .will all "rotate in nnison and the pawl 55' will he heli'l in the position shhwn in Figure 5 out oi engagement with the teeth .i-issinningvhowever, that the sllattt id: is not being driven andalso assuming turther that the apron is carrying a heavy load and the wagonhed is tilted rearwardly, the anti-friction devices supporting the apron will permit the apron to move o'tits own accord without being driven by the shaft. When this occurs the sprocket chains of the apron move the sprorltet wheels 43 a slight distance, whereupon the tooth 56 tends to move with tl'iesprochet wheel bill; is held against any material movement .on account of being); in the notch 54: which is liked to the shaft This willimi'ise the pawl 55 to he tilted until it ei'igra'e'es the adjacent tooth 58 oiithe stationary hearing thereby positivelv locking the apron f rther niovenierlt.

e d. list effect oi said nov lent v llhe to tote the (flier 5 v relative/Jo the sprocket 453- whereupon the tooth 5t in the notch 54; will tilt the pawl to the position shown in f whereupon the will he tree to rotatein the ordinarv manner.

Anotl'ier iinprovementfl"have provided in connection with this apron that at the rear end otthe apron ll hate provided a roller 60 arranged in 1 plane above the supporting rollers 49 so that at the rear 'end the apron traveling, over the roller 60 will he inclined sharply upwardly. This hints to lirealij 'any matted i'i'ianure or o) othermaterial that is being; supported on the apronf The means tor driving; the various driven partsot the device hy power from the trac tin-n wheels comprises a collar (Sl. slidingly mounted, upon the hub (32 ot the traction wheel l-i. This collar has an outwardly extending flange (53 and this iianege has a number oi? pins (34 extending: through it and fined at their outer eiidsl to a stationary collar (55 on the huh (32L -lPfietween the collar and the dense 63 are extensible coil spri'i'it's 66, and on the pins Get, tending to more the collar til inwardly. llotatahly mounted on tl'iisfcollar til is the large sprocket wheel 6?. l ixed to the shaft '13 adjacent the inner face oi the large sprocket wheel 67 is a disc 68 having; oiitiwirdly extended lugs til) designed to cooperate with the spokes of the large sprocket wheel (ii. For controlling the movement ot the collar 61, l hhve provided a lever 70 iulcrnined at itsrear end at 71. This lever is made of two parts which extend respectively above and below the throne 63, and the lever is provided with TEto engage the inner face ot' thetlimge 63.

From this arrangement it obvious that whenthe lever 70 is moved in one direction, it will con'ipress the spring 66 and move the sprocket wheel (ll out oi cngra onioot with the lugs ('39 on the disc (38 so that the driving wheel .41: mav rotate without ro tilting the large si'iroclret wheel 67. ever. when the pressiire on the lever 70 is released. then the springs 66 move the sprocket wheel 67' inwardly to position where it is engaged by the lngsGS) of the disc 69, sothat the sprocket wheel: 67 will then he driven in unison with the traction wheel '14:. in this connection l have provided means whereby a rearward or hacltii'ig movement of the machine will not operate the aprons, by providing a ratchet F3 on the outer end of the huh 62 to engage the correspondingratchet 74: slidinggly hut nonrotatahlv momited on the outer end oi the e r a'tt it} tired to the By means oil this armngronlenh the wheels it may rotate huclnvardlv without driving: the

axle '13 or the large sprocket wheel 67.

The lever 70 is connected to a rod 77 which in turn connects to a hell crank lever 78. The opposite end of the hell crank lever 78 is connected to a rod 79 which 18 operated by the main controlling lever 11'} the manner hereinafter described.

For driving the apron shaft tel l. have Howshai't lit which ratchet T l: is hold lvv a i W inward d n w l provided sprocket wheel rotatably mounted on the apron shaft and having the sprocket chain 41 passed around it. This chain etl also passes over the top of the sprocket wheel 67 to which it is held by the idler sprocket 81.

For throwing the apron into and out of operation, I have provided on the sprocket wheel 80 a ratchet clutch 82 designed to coactwith a sliding ratchet member 83 normally held by means of the spring 84 in position with the ratchet teeth engaging each other. A lever 85 is provided for holding the sliding ratchet member 83 outwardly, as shown in Figure 3, which lever is connected to a rod-86 which rod is also connected to a bell crank lever 8'7, and the bell crank lever is in turn connected to a rod 88 which is attached to the main operating lever in the manner hereinafter described. By this arrangement, the apron is normally driven when the chain 41 is moving in one direction, that is to say, with the top of the apron moving; rearwardly. When, however. the ratchet device 83 is moved outwardly, the chain 41 may move without moving the shaft 44.

By the arrangement heretofore described, it will be seen that through the operation of the sprocket chain A, the forward or elevating apron may be moved. or the main apron in the wagon bed may he moved, or both moved at the same time, by power derived from the main supporting wheels, and that the machine may be moved rearwardly over the ground surface without operating the sprocket chain 41.

The specific means by which the apron shaft 44 is rotated from the sprocket wheel 80, is as follows: Connected with the sprocket wheel 80 is a pinion 99 arranged to rotate in unison therewith. This pinion S9 is in mesh with an idler pinion 90 through which power is transmitted to the pinion 91 on the spreader shaft 114. At the opposite end of the spreader shaft 114- is a small pinion 98, which is meshed with a second idler pinion 94 mounted on the machine frame. This pinion 94- has a pitman 95 connected with it. l i'xod to the shaft 44: acent to the iiinioiiiilel. is a ratchet wheel it is through this ratchet wheel 96 newer is usually transntiitted for advancing the apron. in this .:onnection, it should he explained that the apron is ad vanced through the ratchet wheel 96 when the distributing cylinder is being; operated, and in steps. t times, however, the distributing cylinder is removed and the power for operating the apron is applied solely through the sprocket chain 41, so that the apron is driven direct by power from the sprocket chain 41 when the clutch 82 and 83 is thrown in, and the apron remains idle when this clutch is thrown out of gear.

There are two different means for operating the ratchet wheel 96, the one being aul.o matically operated by the pitman 95, and the other is manually operated through a lever.

I shall first describe the means for automatically operating this ratchet wheel 90, and regulating its movement so that it may be run either fast or slow and be made to distribute a certain predetermined number of loads per acre. This mechanism is substantially the same as that illustrated in my Patent No. 1,170,005, issued February 1,1 910, and shown specifically in Figures 1 and 2 thereof. In the accompanying drawings the ratchet device is illustrated in Figures 1 and 1, and comprises a lever 97 lFulci-umed at its central portion to a stationary pin 98. Two pawls 99 and 100 are slidingly supported in any suitable manner, and are normally in engagement with the ratchet wheel 96. Each is provided with a spring 101 for normally holding the pawl in a direction away from the ratchet wheel. The forward ends of the pawls 99 and 1.00 are arranged adjacent to the lever 97, and each is provided with a pin 102 to be engaged. by the lever 97. Each pawl has a pin 104: adapted to coact with a limiting bar 104 to limit its movement relative thereto, and secured to the bar 104 is a rod 105 having a slot 100 through which the pin 98 passes. The forward end of the rod 105 is connected to the main operating lever in the manner hereinafter described.

The operation of this part of the device is as follows: hen the pinion 9 1- is rotated, the pitman 95 will be reciprocated and this will cause the lever 97 to be rocked on its pivot. When the upper end ol" the lever 97 moves rearwardly, it will engage the pin 102 and push the pawl 99 rearwardly, thus advancing the ratchet 90 one or more ratchet tooth spaces. Then when the lever 97 is rocked in the opposite direction, its lower end will engage the pin 102 of the pawl 100. and this will force the pawl 100 rearwardly and again advance the ratchet wheel 90 one or more toolh spaces. Tt the limiting bar 104 is moved rezlrwardly from the position sh wn in Finure 1, then obviously the pawls will be limited in their forward movement, that is in say. the direction in which lhev a r pulled by their springs. and this will cause the pawls 99 and 100 to advance the ratchet wheel 96 only, say for instance. one tooth. space. Then when the limiting bar 104 is moved forwardly, the movement of the pawls 99 and 100 will he less restricted and they will then be moved by the lever 97 through a sufiieient length of movement to cause the ratchet wheel 96 to be advanced two or moretoot-h spaces at each movement.

The means for manually operating in admew van'cing ,the ratchet heel 96, comprises. an arm 1' pivoted to the shaft 414 and extended downwardly, and provided at its lower end With a spring actuated. pawl 108 in engagement with the ratchet Wheel 96."

apron may, if desired, be advanced. when the machine 1s standing still, or if for any reasonthe automatic ratchet device should fail to operate. 7

I shall. next describe the spreading eylinder or distributer, andits supporting frame and. ,the means whereby its movements are controlled. The spreading cylinder oomprises a cylindricalbody portion 112, having teeth 113 thereon, adjustably set at such angles as to throw the material both rear- Wardly and outwardly to give a wide spread to the material This cylinder is fixed to a shaft "114: mounted in suitable bearingsjin a frame 115, which frame is provided at its top ivitl'rhooks 116 deSlgned to hook over the rear end of the main frame, as shown in Figure .411. The hook is i so arranged that the 1 nine may have a limited during movement in a rearward direction. andviit );lll(l(l this mouenurnt by the euruedpins 117fixed to the ,lraine 11:; and extended through openi ings inn p i-tot" the main 'lran m shown in Figure 41-. A. spring 118 is seeiiired to the frame 115 to ongaga-x the rearvol?- the main :lrame tonormally' bold the flowerend ot the frame l'higslightly spared 'lron'i the main frame, liar enough, at least, to hold the pinionsvlli) and 9']. out of gear. i

l have provided 1119:1118 tor moving the louwr end of the frame 115 forwardly and holding; it so that the pinions i901 and 91 are in mesh with earlrolther, as follows :1 On oz eh side of the machine flllll'lfiillfil't is. a latch device eon'iprising a body portioi'i 119 (shown in Figure 1), having a hoot: IQO-at rear end .to engage the bottom of the y This body portion 119 s eX- frame tended, through; a slot in the main frame,

shown in ll igru're 4:, and cepable of slii'ling bark and forthuthrougrh the slot. The latch derive is also provided near its forward end with a downweirdly extending shoulder 121 do! riled to (use 'e a stationary stop device 1:. At the rear end of m the lateh dei ire is an upuardl pri'riec-tinu' arm liilpto WlHCll a rod 153i is attached. (arrii-d by me niaiu tra ns and l'ixedto t in l l v 1,)

the latch devire 11$). it is to be un tlerstood that this lati'h derure is not rhrertlv pivoted to any part of theuuun frame but is tree to" move. in any dineotion, except as it is guideduby' the hoaetin fp rts. i

In operatiom and 3 uni'ino; that the parts arein, the tion show l igure 4: and that it isdesired to more the spreading paylinder "to its operative position, then the operator pulls upon the rod 12 1; \vhiohhas the effect of first tilting ,the hook 12 upwardly to er enient With thefi'ea-r o-ii the ,iraine her pull upon the rodwill then move 5t ateh de eel l1l9bodilv in a for 1 dir ion unt l the shoulder 121 passes present invention consists-in the means for,

controlliii5g the operations. of ,the various parts .ot my machine, and. Lhavei found it very desirableto have aisingle lever control so arranged tliiat the ions operations of thesis M vill be in p ei-sequence and in such a anner;astop :vent th e parts vfrom workinginmipositioii to earl'i otherhwhere such movement might ,teiul'to break the machine orinterferewith its successful operation. rm; this pur o'se. Ihave provided the inainipperatiiur lever 12th fuleruniedto a stationa v part of tlleyll'lziflillll 1111111116. ,This

lever providedwith a pawl; device 127, whi bv. it may be lockedwin'any suitable position, to a stationary sect-or 128. 'For convenience in "i'lescription, this sector is markedrin the, four positions in which the leverhuiy beset aiul held; as tolloivs First position; a; se eond tposition, Z); third positiolh i and .fourth position, (5, In this conneotion, itjjsftobe noted thatv in the part of the sector 128.]designatedas position 1); the teethot the seetor are omitted, so that thejseetor may have a limited adj ustrnent in this positi on.

i The leverilu s connectedWith it, tour-controllingrods. lhe ,first oneat the top is the todjlQ-il. which controls the position oi the distr buted i 'llhis roilisfirmly fixed to the main lever hyhaving the t vonuts 129 and 130. mounted on itiand locked to oppo site sides of the lever flange.

The nextrod from the topis the .rod 104' whieh controls the automatic -atchet feed for the distributing; cylinder. This rod exte 'ids through an opening in the lever 126, and the lever is freetl: move rearwardly Without moving the rod, but when the said lever is moved forwardly it will engage the nuts 131 fixed to the said rod and move said rod to thereby adjust the ratchet device that controls the movement of the distributing cylinder.

The next rod from the top is the rod 88, and is the one that controls the ratchet clutch for the apron shaft. Thi rod has a sliding movement relative to the main lever, and is provided with nuts 182 on its forward end, so that when the lever is moved forwardly to a certain extent, it will engage said nuts and move the rod 88.

The next rod, at the bottom of the lever, is the rod 7 9, which controls the main clutch of the driving wheel for throwing the driving wheel into or out of operative connection with the driving sprocket 41. This rod has a sliding movement relative to the main lever, and is provided at apoint in the rear of the lever with a stop device 133 adjust ably fixed by the screw 134 to the rod 79. The dotted lines in Figure 8 show that when the lever is moved rearwardly to the position shown by dotted lines, the lever will strike the stop device 133 and move the rod 79 rearwardly thus throwing the main clutch out of gear. At all other times, however, the main clutch is held in gear by the springs 66 before described.

The main lever 126 has a spring 135 attached to it to normally hold it forwardly, for purposes hereinafter made clear.

In practical operation, and assuming that the machine is beingv advanced over the ground either before or after it has been loaded, the main lever is moved to position shown by dotted lines in Figure 8, and the main clutch controlled by the rod 79 is there by held out of gear so that none of the parts of the machine can be operated. Hence the machine is being advanced simply as a wagon.

Assuming that the machine has been advanced to aposition where it is desired to load the wagon, then the operator manipu lates the wheel 22 and lowers the cutter blade 26 to position where it will engage the ground. Then the main lever 126 is moved to position b l/Vhen in this position, the main clutch is in gear and the driving sprocket chain 41 is being operated. The operator next manipulates the lever 35 to throw the forward apron into gear, and this will bring the material being carried by the forward apron into the forward end of the wagon bed upon the forward end of the apron. During this loading operation, which ordinarily is completed in thirty or forty seconds. the operator retains his grasp upon the main operating lever, and when the forward end of the main apron is loaded suiiiciently, he pulls the main lever rearwardly to the rear end port-ion of the part a b of the sector 1:28, thus permitting the spring actuated clutch 88 to engage the clutch of the apron driving sprocket wheel, thus rapidly moving the main apron rearwardly for a distance of a foot or two. Then the main lever is agaii'i moved. forwardly, throwing the apron out of gear. During this time, the main clutch mounted on the axle 13 is in engagement and operative. This operation is repeated until the entire main apron is loaded up evenly and uniformly. If at any time during this operation of loading, the main apron should stick or if it should be desired to move it only a very small distance, the operator may at any time accomplish this purpose by simply pressing repeatedly upon the foot lever 110 to thereby advance the apron through the ratchet wheel 96. .As soon as the main apron is fully loaded, the operator again moves the main lever to its rearward position, throwing the main clutch out of gear. While the main clutch is thus out of gear, the machine may be advanced to a. point of discharge, and during the time it is moving to this point, the operator raises the forward end of the device far enough away from the ground by manipulating the hand wheel 22.

The load from the main apron may be discharged in three ways:

First. By moving the lnain lever to its position f) and then. moving it rearwardly to cause the main apron to be rapidly mo ed by the sprocket chain 4-1 in engagement with the sprocket wheel 8 rlntrhml lo the apron shaf t.

Second. The main apron may be moved rearwardly for discharging through the automatic ratchet device, which will move it very slowly during the advance of the machine over the ground, to spread the material over a large area, and

Third. T he apron may be advanced when the machine is standing still, by having the operator move the foot lever lit). ter is often desirable in discharging the load into deep ditches or the like.

hen it is desired to discharge the material over a. comparatively great area. the operator moves the main lever into its 0 position, thus throwing the distriluit-ing cvlinder into position where the pinionsno and 91 are in gear. FY0111 this position the main lever may be moved forwardly and rear wardly to any of the positions within the part of the sector marked a in Figure r1. lVhen the lever is at its extreme forward position. the pawls 99 and H l are nraci l\Illl unlimited in their movement. and wili open ate the apron relatively fast. thu disirilnning a comparatively great number of oads per acre. but as the main lever is inoiei rearwardly within this position "/5" ihrmovement of the pawls is more and more restrirted and a comparatively less number of This lat- I loads PBIrjZLCl'G will be distributed thereby. During all the time that the main lever 126 is in the position td, the. clutch 83 is out of gear and the apronis driven only by the ratchet 96 and furthermore. during this time, the beateris driven by the gears 89, and 91..., The gear. 94:, which operates the pitman. rod 95,.which. in turn causes the swinging movement of the arm 97 for cans. ing the ratchet device 96 to move, is driven by the gear 93 on the beater shaft 11st. Hence any. movement of the lever l26within the portion .cZ ofthe sector 128 does not affect theclutch 83 orthe main clutch on the driving. axle 13.

It should be mentionedthat" the mechanism of my improved device may be operated from the traction wheels or trom'any suitable source of power, such .as-an engine on the frameor otherwise, .and.tl1a-t itmay be propelled by animals or a traction engine, or may be made in the 'torinwot, a self-propelling device. p p

I .clainras my invention:

1. In a distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting Wheels for it, a supportingcand distributing apron in the wagon bed, a source of power for driving the apron in the wagon bed, and two driving means for the apron, bothiactuated :from'the said source of power, one of said driving means being :directly connected to the source of power :for: moving the apron rapidly, and the other: being indirectly connected with the source of power tor moving the apron slowly.

2. In a distributing wagon, the cmnbin'ation of. a wagonbed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting anddistributingapron in the wagonbed, a source oi? power-for driving the apron in the wagon bed, and two driving means for the apron,.both actuated from the said source of power, one of said driving nieansbeing directly connected to the mg the apron rapidly, and the other being indirectly connected with the source of power for moving the. apron slowly, the latter aprondriving means including a ratchet device for giving therapron a step-bystepmovement.

'8. in a"distributing.wagonpthe combination of a; wagon bed, supporting wheels for it. a. supportingand distributing apron in the wagon bed, a source of powerffor driving the apron in the wagon bed, two driving means for the apron, both actuated from the said source of power, one of said driving n1=ans being directly connected to the source of power for moving :theapron rapidly, and the o-theubeing indirectly connected with the source of powerfor moving the. apron slowly, a single controlling lever, andconnections between the controlling lever and the apron driving means. whereby when the lever is in one position, it is freely niovable 'to throw the direct apron driving means into or out of operation, and in anothe position it is locked for holding the second apron driving means in operative position, and the first apron driving means out of operative position.

1-. In a distributing wagon, the combination of a. wagon bed, supporting Wheels for it, a supporting and distributing apron in. the wagon bed, a source of power for driving the apron. in the wagon bed, two drivj means for 1 the apron, both actuated from the said source of power, one of said driving means being directly connected to the source of. power for moving the apron rapidly, and the other being indirectly connected with the source of power for moving the apron slowly, and a manually operated apron driving means whereby the apron inlay be moved to discharge when. the wagon bed is standing still or the power device for driving the apron is not in operation.

5.. In a. distributing wagon, the combinw tion of a Wagon bed, supporting wheels tor it, a supporting and distributing apron in the wagon bed, a source of power for driving the apron in the wagon bed, two driving means for the apron, both actuated from the said source of power, one ofsaid driv ing means being directly connected to the source of power for moving the apron rapidly,and the other being incirectlyconnected with the source of power "for moving the apron slowly, the latter apron driving means incliuling a ratchet device for giving the apron av step-by-step nioveniei'lt, andv a manually operated. apron. driving in eans ndiereby theapron may be moved to discharge when the wagon bed is standingstill or the power device for driving the apron is not in operation.

(5. in a distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it a supporting and distributing apron in the wagon bed, a source of power for dr the apron in the wagon bed, two means for the apron, both actuated from the said source of power, one of said driving means being directly connected to the source of power for moving the apron rapidly, and the other being indirectly connected with the source of power for moving the apron. slowly, a single controlling lever, connections between the controlling lever and the apron driving means. whereby when the lever in one position it is treely movable to throw is direct apron driving means into or out Of operation. and in another position it is locked for holding the second apron driving means in operative position. and the first apron driving means out o i operative positio' 7. in a distributing wagon. the combination oi? a wagon bed, sn iporting wheels for it, a supporting and distributing apron in the wagon bed, a source of power for driving the apron in the wagon bed, two driving mea :tor the apron, both actuated from the said source of power, one oi? said driving means being directly connected to the source of power for moving the apron rapidly, and the other being indirectly connected with the source of power for moving the apron slowly, and a manually operated ratchet device independent of the other apron driving means, whereby the apron may be slowly moved to discharge when the wagon is stationary or the apron driving power device is inoperative.

8. In a distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting and distributing apron in the wagon bed, a source of power for driving the apron in the wagon bed, two driving means for the apron, both actuated from the said source oi newer, one of said driving means being directly connected to the source 01": power for moving the apron rapidly, and the other being indirectly con nected with the source of power for moving the apron slowly, the latter apron driving means including a ratchet device for giving the apron a step-by-step movement, and a manually operated ratchet device independ ent of the other apron driving means, whereby-the apron may be slowly moved to discharge when the wagon is stationary or the apron driving power device is inoperative.

9. In a distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting and distributing apron in the wagon bed, a source of power for driving the apron in the wagon bed, two driving means 'tor the apron, both actuated from the said source of power, one of said driving means being directly connected to the source of power for moving the apron rapidly, and the other being indirectly connected with the source of power for moving the apron slowly, a single controlling lever, connections between the controlling lever and the apron driving means, whereby when the lever is in one position it is freely movable to throw the direct apron driving means into or out of operation, and in an other position it is locked for holding the second apron driving means in operative position, and the first apron driving means out of operative position, and a manually operated ratchet device independent of the other apron driving means, whereby the apron may be slowly moved to discharge when the wagon is stationary or the apron driving power device is inoperative.

10. In a distributing wagon, the combina tion or a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a conveying and supporting apron in the wagon bed, ieans for establishing a direct connection between one of the supporting wheels and the apron for driving the apron rapidly, means for establishing an indirect connection between one oi the supporting wheels and the apron, for driving it slowly by power from the supporting wheel, and a manually operated means :l'or driving the apron when the wagon is standing still.

11. In a device oi the class described, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for said bed, a main supporting and delivering apron in said wagon, an elevating conveyor at the front oi. the wagon bed, a distributing device at the rear of llllo wagon bed, a driving means for said coin veyor and distributing devices, gearing dcvices between said driving means and the said conveying and distributing devices and means for controlling said gearing devices whereby the elevating conveyor may be driven at one speed, the main supporting and delivering apron driven at a lesser speed and thrown into or out of gear at will ol. operator, without ali'ecting the action of the elevating conveyor, and also whereby the distributing device at the roar may be operated and the speed of the distributing apron may be varied relative to its speed when operating jointly with the elevating conveyor.

12. in a self-loading and distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it. a main. support ing and delivering apron in the wagon bed, an elevating conveyor at the {rout of the wagon bed, a distributing device at the rear of the SllpllOltlllg and. conveying apron, a driving means whereby the elevating conveyor, supporting and delivering convr-vyor and the spreader may be driven by power from one of the supporting wheels, a clutch device whereby said supporting whccl may be operatively connected or disconnected to the driving means, a single controlling lever. and connections between the controlling lever and the apron driving means and the spreader driving means, whereby in one position both the apron and the elevating conveyor may be operated and the spreader be retained in an inoperative position, and in another position the apron, the elevating conveyor and the spreader may all l o operated.

13. In a self-loading and distributing wagon, the combination oi a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a main supporting and delivering apron in the wagon bed, an elevating conveyor at the front of the wagon bed, a distributing dcvice at the rear of the supporting and conveying apron, a driving means whereby the elevating conveyor. supporting and delivering convevor and the sprczulcr may be driven by power from one ol the supporting wheels, a clutch device wherelvv said supporting wheel may be operativcly connected or disconnected to the driving means, a single controlling lever, connec- 1 ill) tions between the controlling lever and the apron driving means and the spreader driving means, whereby in one position both the apron and the elevating conveyor may be operated and the spreader be retained in an inoperative position, and in another position the apron, the elevating conveyor and the spreader may all be operated, and a secondlever for operatively connecting or disconnecting the elevating-conveyor with the said driving means.

14. In a self-loading and distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a driving sprocket wheel adjacent one of the supporting wheels, a clutch for operatively (:OllllQClJll'lg or disconnecting the driving sprocket wheel with the supporting wheel, a forward elevating conveyor, a sprea'del'ya sprocket chain connecting the driving sprocket wheel with the forward elevating conveyer and with the spreader, a lever for controlling the said clutch, and a ratchet device interposed between the supporting wheel and the driving sprocket wheel, whereby a rearward move- ,ment of the supporting wheel will not operate the said sprocket wheel. 15. In a self-loading and distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for said bed, a supporting and delivering apron inithe wagon bed, an elevatingconveyor at one end of the wagon bed, a distributing device at the other end of said bed, and an operating mechanism whereby theapronniay be driven at a certain speed simultaneously with the elevating conveyor, and whereby the apron may be driven at another speed siinultaneously with the distributing device. 16. In a distributing wagon, the combination of awagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting and delivering apron in the wagon bed, a driving sprocket wheel, a clutch device for operatively connecting or disconnecting it with the supporting wheel,

a sprocket wheel loosely mounted on ,the'

apron shaft, a sprocket chain for connecting the two sprocket wheels, a clutch device for operatively connecting or disconnecting the sprocket wheel with the apron shaft, and a single controlling lever capable in one position of holding the clutch for the driving sprocket in an inoperative position, and also capable in another position of holding the clutch for the sprocket on the apron shaft in an inoperative position.

17. In a distributing wagon, the combinationof a wagon bed, supportingwheels for it, a supporting and deliverlng apron 1n the wagon becha driving sprocket wheel, a clutch device for operatively connecting or disconnectingit with the supporting wheel, a sprocket wheel loosely mounted on the apron shaft, asprocket chain for connecting the two sprocket wheels, a clutch devicefor operatively connecting or disconnecting the sprocket wheel with the apron shaft, a ratchet drivingmechanism for the apron shaft, means for connecting it with the sprocket wheel on the apron shaft, and a single controlling lever capable in one position of holding the driving sprocket clutch out of gear. and. in a second position of bolding both of said clutches in gear, and in a third position capable of holding the driving sprocket clutch and the clutch for the apron sprocket out of gear, so that the ratchet driving device for the apron maybe operated from the driving sprocket wheel, and also so that the sprocket wheel for the apron shaft will. be operatively disconnected from the apron shaft.

18. in a distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting and delivering apron in the wagon bed, a driving sprocket wheel, a clutch for operatively connecting or disconnecting it with a supporting wheel, a sprocket wheel loosely mounted on the apron shaft, a clutch for operatively connecting or disconnecting it with the apronshaft, a spreader mounted on the wagon bed, a ratchet driving device for the apron, means for establishing a driving connection between the apron sprocket wheel and the ratchet driving device for the apron when the'spreader is operatively connected With the sprocket wheel of the apron, a single controlling lever, and connections between the controlling lever and the driving sprocket, the apron shaft sprocket and the spreader, said cont-rolling lever and connections being so arranged that in one position of the lever the driving sprocket is held inoperative. inanother position both! the driving sprocket and the apron sprocket areoperatively connected todirectly drive the apron, and in a third position the driving sprocket is held in its operative position, the apron sprocket is operatively disconnected from; the apron shaft, and the spreader and the ratchet driving mechanism for the apron are held in their operative positions for simultaneously driving the apron through the ratchet device and also operating the spreader.

19. In a distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting and conveying apron in the wagon bed, a driving sprocket wheel, a clutch for operatively connecting or disconnecting it with the supporting wheel, a sprocket wheel loosely mounted on the apronshaft, a sprocket chain for connecting it with the driving sprocket wheel, a clutch on the apron shaft for operatively connecting or disconnecting the sprocket wheel therewith, a ratchet driving means for the apron shaft, a spreader gearing mechanism carried by the spreader and so arranged that when the spreader is moved forwardly it will be operatively connected with the sprocket wheel of the apron shaft. and at the same time the ratchet driving mechanism for the apron will be operatively connected with the apron driving sprocket wheel, a single controlling lever, and connections between the said controlling lever, the two said clutches and the spreader, said lever and its connections being so arranged that when the lever is in its rearward position the clutch for the driving sprocket will be out of gear, when in an intermediate position the clutch for the driving shaft will be in gear and the clutch for the apron shaft may be moved either into or out of gear, and in a third position the clutch for the driving sprocket will be in gear and the spreader will be moved to po sition where it is operatively connected with the driving sprocket for the apron and also driving means for the ratchet driving device, and at the same time the clutch for the apron sprocket will be in an inoperative position.

20. In a distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting and conveying apron in the wagon bed, a driving sprocket w eel, a clutch for operatively connecting or disconnecting it with the supporting wheel, a sprocket wheel loosely mounted on the apron shaft, a sprocket chainfor connecting it with the driving sprocket wheel, a clutch on the apron shaft for operatively connecting or disconnecting the sprocket wheel therewith, a ratchet driving means for the apron shaft, a spreader gearing mechanism carried by the spreader and so arranged that when the spreader is moved forwardly it will be operatively connected with the sprocket wheel of the apron shaft, and at the same time the ratchet driving mechanism for the apron will be operatively connected with the apron driving sprocket wheel, a single controlling lever, connections between the said controlling lever, the two said clutches and the spreader, said lever and its connections being so arranged that when the lever is in its rearward posit-ion the clutch for the driving sprocket will be out of gear, when in an intermediate position the clutch for the driving shaft will be in gear and the clutch for the apron shaft may be moved either into or out of gear, and in a third position the clutch for the driving sprocket will be in gear and the spreader will be moved to position where it is operatively connected with the driving sprocket for the apron and also driving means for the ratchet driving de vice, and at the same time the clutch for the apron sprocket will be in an inoperative position, and a ineans for regulating the ratchet drive device, said means being operatively connected with the main controlling lever and so arranged that when the main controlling lever is in any position in advance of the position for throwing the spreader into gear, the speed of the ratchet driving device may be thereby controlled.

21. In a distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting and delivering apron in the wagon bed, a driving pinion on, the apron shaft, a spreader frame hingedly supported on the wagon bed, a spreader therein, a pinion on the spreader shaft, and means for moving the hinged spreader frame forwardly to position for establishing a driving connection between the said pinions on the apron shaft and on the spreader shaft.

22. In a distributing wagon, the combina tion of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting and delivering apron in the wagon bed, a driving pinion on the apron shaft, a spreader frame hingedly supported on the wagon bed, a spreader therein, a pinion on the spreader shaft, means for moving the hinged spreader frame 'l'omvardly to position for establishing a driving connection between the said pinions on the apron shaft and on the spreader shaft, and a spring for yieldingly holding the spreader frame rearwardly to disconnect said pinions.

23. In a distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting and delivering apron in the wagon bed, a driving pinion on the apron shaft, a spreader frame hingedlx supported on the wagon bed, a spreader therein, a pinion on the spreader shaft, means for moving the hinged spreader frame forwardly to position for establishing a driving connection between the said pinions on the apron shaft and on the spreader shaft, a ratchet driving mechanism for the apron shaft, and means for operating said ratchet driving mechanism through the said spreader, whereby said ratchet driving device can be operated only when the spreader is moved to its operative position.

24. In a distributing wagon. the rombination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting and delivering apron in the wagon bed, means for driving the apron, and a locking device for preventing rearward movement of the apron when the apron driving mechanism is out of gear.

25. In a distributing wagon, the combination of a wagon bed, supporting wheels for it, a supporting and delivering apron in the wagon bed, means for driving the apron, and a locking device for, preventing rearward movement of the apron when the apron driving mechanism is out of gear, said means comprising a hinged collar keyed to the apron shaft, a pawl pivoted to one of the apron sprockets, said pawl being provided with :i lug to enter the hinged disc, and a stationary ratchet in position to be engaged by said pawl, said parts being; so arranged that when the shaft is being driven in unison with the sprocket wheel, the pawl will 

